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Bush buoys Brewers in win over Diamondbacks

Jul 17, 2007 - 3:50 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Dave Bush looked poised to play the role of staff ace hours after the Milwaukee Brewers put theirs on the disabled list.

Bush allowed three runs on five hits in six innings in the Brewers' 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Brewers placed All-Star Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained middle right finger.

Corey Hart and Ryan Braun homered for the Brewers, who won their third consecutive game after losing six of seven.

Bush (8-7) allowed solo home runs to Chris Young, which led off the game, Mark Reynolds and Stephen Drew, but won for the second straight time and fifth time in six outings after starting the season 3-6.

"It's something that only affects us right now every fifth day," Bush said of Sheets' injury. "You can't try to do too much, and everyone has to continue to do what their doing."

The 27-year-old righthander climbed above .500 for the first time since April 22 when he was 2-1. He has lowered his ERA from 6.13 to 4.84 over his last nine starts.

"I've just been mixing my pitches, trying to become a little more unpredictable," Bush said. "I think I fell into some patterns of throwing pitches at the wrong time. It's something we talked through. Since then, I've felt more aggressive and more comfortable."

Immediately after Young's home run, the Brewers gave Bush a cushion to work with in the bottom of the first. Hart led off with a home run off Diamondbacks starter Micah Owings (5-5).

"Any time you can jump out and deflate their bubble, because I'm sure they felt pretty good about getting out early, it's a good thing," Hart said. "It's nice to even the score. They scored early and we had to get on the board early, too."

After J.J. Hardy singled to left field, Braun blasted his 14th home run, the third most in the National League since his debut on May 25.

"The progress he's been making, both defensively and offensively has been spectacular," Brewers manager Ned Yost said.

The Diamondbacks chipped away with Reynolds' opposite field home run in the fourth that made it 3-2, but the Brewers answered in the bottom of the fifth as Prince Fielder delivered an RBI double off Owings.

Drew homered in the seventh to make it 4-3, but relievers Brian Shouse, Derrick Turnbow and Francisco Cordero pitched scoreless innings for the Brewers, who won their third consecutive one-run game.

"My slider was unbelievable," said Cordero, who struck out the side on 12 pitches to record his Major League-leading 29th save. "You keep throwing it and the keep chasing it. That's what I did tonight. I've had better saves, but tonight was pretty good. I made pretty good pitches and we got a good result."

The Diamondbacks left three runners in scoring position, including two at third base.

"We left the yard a few times, but we still struggled with guys on," Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said.

Owings, who has not won since June 20, allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings and lost for the fourth straight time.

"The last couple outings were rough, and tonight, the beginning was tough, but you have to focus and fight through it," Owings said.